Chairman's Interview

[dsmoker]

I think each team's situation is different. Our eventual goal is to have students do the Chairman's presentation by themselves. However, we are not a suburban school with an abundance of students able and willing to do such a presentation. A few of the students who are most familiar with the team and the most outspoken are on this year's drive team, and they can't be on the Chairman's panel, as they are too busy in the pits. We are a hand-on student team where robot building and design is concerned, with the students doing the work on the bot under the supervision and direction of the mentors. That's where we're at for Chairman's as well, but at this point the students actually prefer to have one of the adult mentors in the room with them to supervise and observe. It also lets me evaluate their performance and helps us to improve for the next year.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by dsmoker

It also lets me evaluate their performance and helps us to improve for the next year.

Each team is different and approaches the competition from a different vantage point. Issues that one team may contend with are non-issues for another.

For me, the important part of continued team growth and maturing is the on-going evaluation of how areas can be improved, strengthened, changed to meet the dynamics and evolving development of the team.

Continuing to participate in the Chairman's Award will expose the team to the experience of conducting interviews with professionals, making formal presentations, and developing public speaking skills. It is always incredible to me to watch a student blossom and open up when they take that deep breath and step up to the challenge. One of our quieter team members last year is our lead for the Chairman's and Woodie Flowers essays this year. The presentation team is in process of being determined and I'll bet she will take that deep breath, again.

Good luck with your competition season!
Jane

[dsmoker]

Well said, Jane. One of our quieter students was chosen as a presenter last year, and she did a great job. It really boosted her confidence. We, too, are in the process of finalizing our team for this year, but she may well be chosen again, along with a young man who did not present last year but is intersted this year and has a real flair for public speaking.

Best of luck to all the teams who took the time and effort to do Chairman's!